On Saturday evening, January 3, 2015, at Keystone Communities in Prior Lake, MN Nina Helle Jacobsen, age 91, was reunited in heaven with her husband, Herbert. She was a lifelong resident of Edina, MN.
A Celebration of Nina’s Life will be on Friday, January 9, at 11 am, with a time of gathering for family and friends starting at 9:30 am, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. Jean Breeggemann will lead the service. Nina’s pall bearers will be Jim Kearney, Kevin Affolter, Al Kolman, Larry Hesse, Jim Maley and Shane Beach. Nina will be laid to rest next to her husband on Friday, at 3 pm at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in her memory by the family.
In Lansing, Iowa, the world become brighter with the birth of Nina, on December 9, 1923. From little on, she loved to fish, a love that was passed down from her father and grandfather. The town of Lansing bordered the Mississippi River, where Nina and her older sister Mildred could be found casting their poles into the water. Attending and later graduating from Lansing High School, she enjoyed participating in basketball and playing the clarinet.
Moving to Minnesota, Nina worked for the Charles Stone Company. It was here, she met a client by the name of Herbert Jacobsen. Exchanged wedding vows, they settled their roots in Edina and were blessed with their only son, Jeff. Nina worked side by side, as a bookkeeper, for Herb’s busy, Gopher Pattern Works. The business provided wood and metal patterns for industries, such as NASA and even parts for the Alvin Submarine.
As a family, they enjoyed vacations to the Lake of the Woods and around the chain of lakes, where they all partook in Nina’s favorite past time…fishing. They also enjoyed playing golf and vacations out west. Sunday evening were spent watching Bonanza episodes. As a couple, Nina and Herb were avid bowlers and golfers. Active members of the Golden Valley Country Club, they too enjoyed playing cards, such as bridge, 500 or Gin and traveling with friends, especially to Mexico, Spain and Portugal. Nina also was a generous volunteer at Methodist Hospital and the Colonial Church of Edina.
Nina had a special love for animals, did not matter what kind. She and Herb enjoyed cooking and hosting family gatherings. But on November 17, 1973, he passed away, leaving Nina at a loss. Over the years, she endured life’s trials and tribulations. Life was brightened, when Nina became a grandma to Kirstin and Christian. She relished their time together and loved them dearly. Nina spoiled them with Werthers candies and Oatmeal Cream Pies.
An avid Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan, Nina loved watching the Price is Right and the Golden Girls and listening to WCCO AM radio. Proud of her Norwegians and German heritage, she carried their traits of a strong will personality, yet having this soft and tender heart.
Left to honor Nina’s life and mourn the death is her beloved son, Jeff (Colleen Johnson) Jacobsen; grandchildren, Kirstin Jacobsen, Christian Jacobsen; niece, Lisa (Matt) Lindeman; nephew, Randy Kilgariff; other loving relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Nina home is husband, Herbert; parents, Arne and Mayme Helle and sister, Mildred (Francis) Kilgariff.
